Okoronkwo also stated she did not protest after being brought down inside the box because the referee saw what transpired and ignored it.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Falcons midfielder Esther Okoronkwo has admitted that Nigeria were flat during their 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi in the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
She made the admission while reacting to the shock defeat following their Group C opener, played in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday night.
Nigeria went into the encounter as clear favourites but ended up losing the fixture, as they were unable to contain the in-form sisters, Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, who scored all three of their team’s goals.
While Temwa bagged a brace, Tabitha added a third. Despite two goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and substitute Uchenna Kanu, the Super Falcons were unable to pull off a comeback.
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Reacting after the match, Okoronkwo noted that she and her teammates were a “little flat” during the encounter and must play better going forward.
She added that they must go back, learn their lessons, and fix their mistakes before their next game.
”In the next game, we have to come back better. In this game, we came out a little flat.
“But it is what it is. We have to go back, learn our lessons, address what needs fixing, and come back stronger in the next game,” Okoronkwo said.
On the penalty shout after she was brought down inside the box, she added: “I don’t know what the referee saw, but I think it should have been looked at. However, it is what it is—I didn’t get it, so I won’t talk or complain about it.”
